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Trip from Fort Madison, IA to Bettendorf, IA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 4m

Distance

99.3 mi

160 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$16

one way

EV Charging

Sparse

1 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min
4 AM
1h 56m ★
6 AM
2h 5m
8 AM
2h 23m
10 AM
2h 11m
12 PM
2h 9m
3 PM
2h 12m
5 PM
2h 22m
8 PM
2h 0m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city and county seat in Lee County, Iowa, United States

Fort Madison, IA

Wikimedia Commons

city in Scott County, Iowa, United States

Bettendorf, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This straightforward 99.3-mile drive from Fort Madison, IA, to Bettendorf, IA, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 4 minutes to complete. Primarily utilizing US 61 Business and U.S. 61, with a portion on West River Drive, this route keeps you on well-established roads for most of the journey. With an estimated fuel cost of $15, it's an economical option for exploring the Midwest. Given its relatively short duration and highway-focused profile, you can expect a consistent travel experience without needing to break it up into multiple days. This makes it a convenient option for a quick hop between Iowa communities.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

49.7 miles from Fort Madison, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 1m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 61 Business 49.2 mi 59m
U.S. 61 20.3 mi 22m
West River Drive 9.1 mi 16m
US 61 8.8 mi 10m
Douglas King Memorial Expressway 7.1 mi 8m
354th Avenue 3.3 mi 4m
Avenue H 0.8 mi 1m
2nd Street 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: US 61 Business — 49.2 mi, about 59m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fort Madison, IA and Bettendorf, IA.

1

Start on this road

61 ft · 7 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto Avenue I

139 ft · 8 sec · Avenue I
3

Turn right onto US 61 Business

0.8 mi · 1 min · Avenue H
4

Turn slight left onto US 61 Business

0.3 mi · 24 sec · 2nd Street
5

Continue on US 61 Business

3.3 mi · 4 min · 354th Avenue
6

Take the ramp onto US 61 Business

49 mi · 59 min · US 61 Business
Use the straight / right lanes.
7

Continue on US 61; IA 92

8.8 mi · 10 min · US 61; IA 92
8

Turn left onto US 61; IA 92

7.1 mi · 8 min · Douglas King Memorial Expressway
9

Continue on US 61

20 mi · 22 min · U.S. 61
10

Continue on US 61

9.1 mi · 16 min · West River Drive
11

Continue on US 67

0.1 mi · 15 sec · State Street
12

Continue on State Street

0.2 mi · 39 sec · State Street
13

Turn right onto 12th Street

245 ft · 17 sec · 12th Street
14

Turn left

74 ft · 3 sec
15

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

For this 2-hour, 99.3-mile journey, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience. Since the drive is short, consider leaving mid-morning to avoid potential rush hour traffic in Bettendorf and allow for a relaxed pace. With no designated stops in the data, you can plan your own breaks as needed, perhaps around the 49.2-mile mark on US 61 Business. The estimated fuel cost is just $15, so keeping your tank topped off shouldn't be a major concern, but it's always wise to be aware of your fuel gauge, especially on longer highway stretches.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 49.7 miles from Fort Madison, IA, or about 1h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.2 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 22 miles or 27m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 49.7 miles or 1h 1m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 37m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bettendorf, IA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Fort Madison, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.

+

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

+

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Fort Madison, IA

This is one driving day of about 99.3 miles and 2h 4m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Fort Madison, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 61 Business for about 49.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in and county seat of Muscatine County, Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Muscatine, IA

50 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Burlington, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Columbus Junction, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 49.7 miles from Fort Madison, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

LemonGrass Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Moline, Illinois

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 99.3

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+13097974100

Visit website

Dead Poet’s Espresso Ltd

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Moline, Illinois

1.1 mi

Meli's Pancake House

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Moline, Illinois

1.3 mi

Top Coffee Stop

The Atlas Collective

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Moline, Illinois

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 99.3

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+13099078163

Visit website

Coffee House Cafe and Goods

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Davenport, Iowa

1.5 mi

Joh’s Cafe

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Moline, Illinois

1.3 mi

LemonGrass Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 99.3

Moline, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+13097974100

Visit website

Dead Poet’s Espresso Ltd

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 99.3

Moline, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+13097367606

Visit website

Meli's Pancake House

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 99.3

Moline, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+13097369060

The Grinders & Spaghetti House - Bettendorf

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour Inexpensiv mile 99.3

Bettendorf, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15633551722

Visit website

Headquarters Muscatine

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 63.8

Muscatine, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+15632617003

Visit website

74 Pancake House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 99.3

Moline, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+13096235975

Brew

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 99.3

Davenport, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15634241902

Visit website

All American Diner

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 70.9

Muscatine, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+15632632224

The Atlas Collective

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 99.3

Moline, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+13099078163

Visit website

Coffee House Cafe and Goods

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 99.3

Davenport, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+15634849808

Visit website

Joh’s Cafe

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 99.3

Moline, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+13095197076

Visit website

Cafe Spot

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 99.3

Bettendorf, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–9 pm

Kick Serve Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 99.3

Moline, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+13095171722

Visit website

The Coffee Belt

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 63.8

Muscatine, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+15632646963

ROZZ-TOX

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 99.3

Rock Island, Illinois

Hours: 5 pm–12 am

Visit website

392Caffe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 92.2

Davenport, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–3 pm

+15632756292

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 70.9

Muscatine, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15632625587

Visit website

Cafe On Vine

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 92.2

Davenport, Iowa

Hours: 7–7:45 am

+15633244472

Visit website

Doogies's Bar and Grill

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 56.7

Letts, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+15632613806

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 5

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 99.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Avenue I

Turn right onto Avenue I

Navigation decision point

4
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 61 Business / Avenue H

Turn right onto US 61 Business / Avenue H

Navigation decision point

6
4.3 mi into trip | ~6m in | US 61 Business

Take the ramp onto US 61 Business

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
5
99.2 mi into trip | ~2h 4m in | 12th Street

Turn right onto 12th Street

Navigation decision point

5
99.3 mi into trip | ~2h 4m in

Turn left

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$15.52 one way

$31.05 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 35 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $17.05 $34.09
premium $4.89 $19.11 $38.22
diesel $5.61 $21.92 $43.85

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$41–$66

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 34.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 29.8 0 $10.43 $4.77
Efficient EV 24.8 0 $8.69 $3.97
EV Truck/SUV 39.7 0 $13.90 $6.36

Gas CO2

35 kg

EV CO2

12 kg (66% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026

Origin

Fort Madison, IA

Night in Fort Madison on Saturday

Local time

11:27 PM

CDT

Current temp

73°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Bettendorf, IA

Night in Bettendorf on Saturday

Local time

11:27 PM

CDT

Current temp

82°F

Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

S 15 to 20 mph 66% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 17 at 10:04AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Flood Watch

Flood Watch issued April 16 at 9:20PM CDT until April 24 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

9 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 4m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 86% of the route on highways. You'll experience a significant uninterrupted stretch of 49.2 miles on US 61 Business, offering a consistent pace. While largely highway, the inclusion of West River Drive suggests a potential for a change of scenery closer to your destination. This isn't a winding, backroad adventure, but rather a direct and efficient path, allowing you to cover ground smoothly. The character remains largely consistent, emphasizing forward momentum.

86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 49.2 mi on US 61 Business.

How Hard Is This Drive?

1/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 61 Business and U.S. 61. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Avenue I.

Driving Effort 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Fort Madison, IA to Bettendorf, IA is easy. At 2h 4m with 86% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (Avenue I): Navigation decision point; near the start (US 61 Business / Avenue H): Navigation decision point; at 4.3 miles (US 61 Business): Lane positioning matters here.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 4m. Total distance: 99.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (86%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 49.2 miles on US 61 Business. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (Avenue I): Navigation decision point; near the start (US 61 Business / Avenue H): Navigation decision point; at 4.3 miles (US 61 Business): Lane positioning matters here.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Bettendorf, IA before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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